Marlins blank struggling Braves

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Miami, FL (Sports Network) - Javier Vazquez continued his surge and sent the
Braves further into their funk, as the Marlins earned a 4-0 victory by two-
hitting the playoff contenders in the rubber match of a three-game series.

Atlanta's eighth loss in 12 games, coupled with St. Louis' win on Wednesday,
cut its once healthy NL wild card lead to 1 1/2 games over the hard-charging
Cardinals with six games remaining. The Braves play a three-game series in
Washington before finishing the regular season at home against the NL East-
champion Phillies.

"We still got everybody in the rearview mirror. We just have to take care of
business," said Braves third baseman Chipper Jones.

The Braves' bats had no chance against Vazquez (12-11), who extended his
scoreless steak to 25 innings with seven terrific frames. He allowed just two
hits and one walk while fanning six in Florida's fourth win in six games.

"He's been the No. 1 guy for us...at least in the second half of the season,"
Marlins manager Jack McKeon said of Vazquez. "It's remarkable the way he's
come through."

Derek Lowe (9-16) fell to 0-4 in September after surrendering three runs on
six hits and two walks over 6 1/3 innings.

Mike Stanton scored twice around Brett Hayes' solo homer in the fifth, first
coming around on Gaby Sanchez's double in the second, then racing in on Bryan
Petersen's sacrifice fly in the sixth.

Logan Morrison added another solo blast in the eighth for good measure, but
Vazquez and the Marlins bullpen had more than enough cushion.

Vazquez allowed just two base runners through six frames, and both were
stranded in the fourth when Dan Uggla and Freddie Freeman were retired.

Jack Wilson flew out to leave a pair in scoring position in the away seventh,
and Edward Mujica and Leo Nunez each hurled an inning of relief to preserve
the shutout.

Game Notes

Braves shortstop Alex Gonzalez sat out with a strained right calf muscle...The
Marlins finish their road slate in Milwaukee before starting its final series
at Sun Life Stadium against the Nationals next Monday...Atlanta went 75-75 in
150 games at Sun Life Stadium since the Marlins began play there in
1993...Vazquez has pitched to a 0.25 earned-run average over his last five
outings -- all victories...Lowe still needs one win to notch his 10th straight
double-digit win campaign...The Braves dominated the season series, 12-6.